Search form

Rare Books and MBL Archives

MBL Archives

The Marine Biological Laboratory Archives is a part of the MBLWHOI Library. The MBL Archives contain institutional records dating from 1888. Included in the archives are Directors' papers; scientific papers of a number of MBL-affiliated researchers; an extensive photograph collection dating from the MBL's inception that includes class photos and scenes of the MBL campus and surrounding areas; and a complete collection of Rudolf Leuckart's Teaching Wall Charts.

Research work using the MBL Archives is restricted on-campus to the Agassiz Room. Researchers are asked to complete a Research Request Form prior to arrival. Library staff will make arrangments for any reproductions - self service copy or scanning is not available. Access restrictions are present on some archival materials. For further information, see the detailed policies for the Rare Books and MBL Archives.

MBL Archives Collections PDF Finding Aids (updated versions are available for some finding aids. See the 'Search the Archives' link)

Rare Books

The Rare Books Room is a climate-controlled environment containing approximately 5300 volumes of works from the 16th - 20th centuries covering such diverse topics as early taxonomy, evolution, genetics, geology, physical oceanography, and natural history. Housed within the Rare Books Room is an extensive collection of books on oceanic voyages and expeditions encompassing journeys all around the world, including the polar regions. The Rare Books Collection is searchable using the MBLWHOI Library Catalog
For more information, please contact Library@mbl.edu